Pogar is one of the most ancient Russian cities. There is some evidence that the settlement in this area emerged in the 8th century. Pogar was known as Radogoshch and was first mentioned in the 1155 chronicles. Throughout its entire history, the city was burned down more than a few times by the invaders: Mongol-Tatars, Zaporozhian Cossacks, Lithuanians, and Poles. For that reason, this settlement was first called Pogar’ (“burned down”) and it was renamed Pogar in the 17th century.
In conjunction with its new name, the city became entitled to the Magdeburg Law, a special legal system. It was developed in Magdeburg in the 13th century: according to this system, citizens were granted independence from feudal lords and received the right to self-government. Nearly ten Russian cities enjoyed the Magdeburg Law, including four cities of the Bryansk region: Starodub, Mglin, Pochep, and Pogar. Pogar citizens preserved this right for the longest time, up to the mid-19th century.
This special legal system ensured the development of crafts and trade. Pogar was famous for the largest Bryansk Region fairs held three times a year, which could last two or three weeks. Local craftsmen and visiting merchants traded there in small shops.
Pogar craftsmen established craft guilds. Kovaly (blacksmiths) were the wealthiest among the craftsmen. They supplied the most necessary household items: horseshoes, horse fetters, knives, agricultural implements, locks, and keys. They made padlocks consisting of a shackle and housing. The keys were forged flat with an opening bit.
The padlock discovered in 1987 on Zamkovaya Gora (Castle Hill) featured a version of the mid-17th century cylinder locks. Local lore historians suggested that it might have belonged to one of the rich Pogar merchants, trading in hemp fabric in large quantities.
In the early 18th century, the hemp fabric warehouses arson became more frequent in Pogar, which meant that the merchants burned their competitors’ property. Therefore, many traders started to build large-area underground stone warehouses for storing “berkovets” with hemp (a 10-pud pack). This led to the increasing demand for padlocks.
Such padlocks could also be used on the entrance gates of a castle or armory.
In conjunction with its new name, the city became entitled to the Magdeburg Law, a special legal system. It was developed in Magdeburg in the 13th century: according to this system, citizens were granted independence from feudal lords and received the right to self-government. Nearly ten Russian cities enjoyed the Magdeburg Law, including four cities of the Bryansk region: Starodub, Mglin, Pochep, and Pogar. Pogar citizens preserved this right for the longest time, up to the mid-19th century.
This special legal system ensured the development of crafts and trade. Pogar was famous for the largest Bryansk Region fairs held three times a year, which could last two or three weeks. Local craftsmen and visiting merchants traded there in small shops.
Pogar craftsmen established craft guilds. Kovaly (blacksmiths) were the wealthiest among the craftsmen. They supplied the most necessary household items: horseshoes, horse fetters, knives, agricultural implements, locks, and keys. They made padlocks consisting of a shackle and housing. The keys were forged flat with an opening bit.
The padlock discovered in 1987 on Zamkovaya Gora (Castle Hill) featured a version of the mid-17th century cylinder locks. Local lore historians suggested that it might have belonged to one of the rich Pogar merchants, trading in hemp fabric in large quantities.
In the early 18th century, the hemp fabric warehouses arson became more frequent in Pogar, which meant that the merchants burned their competitors’ property. Therefore, many traders started to build large-area underground stone warehouses for storing “berkovets” with hemp (a 10-pud pack). This led to the increasing demand for padlocks.
Such padlocks could also be used on the entrance gates of a castle or armory.
